There’s nothing quite like hitting the road in October with a warm drink in the cupholder, your favorite playlist humming through the speakers, and the trees lighting up the highway in fiery golds, reds, and oranges.
Fall foliage road trips are a seasonal rite of passage, but when your route winds through national parks, mountain passes, or backcountry roads, it’s not just the leaves that deserve your attention. Your coverage does too.
Plan for Remote Routes, Not Just Scenic Views
Before diving into nature’s best show, it’s worth taking a moment to think about the drive itself. Leaf-peeping routes are beautiful, but they’re also often rural, less traveled, and far from the nearest service station.
That means if something goes wrong (like a flat tire, a dead battery, or a surprise encounter with a curious deer) you’ll want more than just great scenery. You’ll want a plan.
Check Your Roadside Assistance Coverage
Many drivers assume roadside assistance is automatically included with their car insurance, but that’s not always the case.
Even when it is, there are often limits, especially on towing distance. If your route includes scenic byways in places like Vermont’s Route 100, the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, or the Upper Peninsula’s lakeside roads in Michigan, you might be farther from the nearest town than you think.
Some basic plans only cover a few miles of towing, which can leave you with a hefty out-of-pocket expense if help has to come from farther away.
Why Comprehensive Coverage Matters on Scenic Routes
This is also where comprehensive coverage proves its worth. While liability protects you in an accident with another driver, it won’t help much if your car is damaged by falling branches, unexpected wildlife, or vandalism at a remote overlook.
Comprehensive fills that gap – covering many of the unpredictable, non-collision surprises that are more common in natural areas. It can also come in handy if your parked car is broken into while you’re off exploring a trail or taking photos at a scenic turnout.
Do a Quick Coverage Check Before You Go
If you’re planning a long drive through leaf-heavy territory this fall, it’s smart to double-check a few things: your roadside assistance coverage (including towing mileage), your deductible on comprehensive, and whether your insurer offers trip interruption or rental car reimbursement if you’re stranded far from home.
It doesn’t have to be complicated—just a quick check-in to make sure the coverage you have lines up with the trip you’re planning. At QuoteScouts, we help drivers explore new roads with confidence, not worry.
Whether you’re planning a quiet loop through the Catskills or a full-blown road trip across New England, we’ll help you find the policy that supports the journey, not just the destination.
Because fall is meant to be experienced through your windshield, not from the side of the road, waiting on a tow truck.
